Clamp



(No Model.)

F. J. MOSER.

CLAMP.

No. 368,104. Patented Aug. 9, 1887.

MGM O- UNITED STATES PATENT Qrricn.

FRED JOSEPH MOSER, OF NORTH CLARENDON, PENNSYLVANIA.

'C LAM P.

SPECIFICATION forming art of Letters Patent No. 368,104, dated August 9, 1887.

- Application filed April 26, 1887. Serial No.236.22-2. (No model.)

, .combination of devices,that willbe more fully raised or lowered. From the outer sides of set forth hereinafter,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective' view of a clamp embodying my improvements, showing thejaws of the same open. Fig. 2is a similar view showing the jaws closed. Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse sectional view,taken on the line x 00 of Fig. 1.

A B represent a pair of jaws, which are hinged together at their outer sides by means of a vertical pin or bolt, 0, which extends through vertical aligned openings made in circular ears D and E, which project from the outer sides of the jaws Aand B, respectively. The said jaws are provided with outwardlyeXtending semi-cylindrical curved portions F and G, the inner concave sides of which are arranged opposite to each other,and when the jaws are closed form a cylindrical opening adapted to receive the oil-well tubing to be the semi-cylindrical curved portions of the jaws project eyes H, which are formed integrally with the jaws, and engage long links I, of suitable size and thickness, which are adapted to be hooked to the snatch-block of the hoisting-tackle. (Not shown.)

The upper side of the curved portion G of the jaw B is recessed or cut away,as at K,and on the said recess or cut-away portion rests a semicircular latch, L, the outer end of which is provided with a circnlar lug or ear,M,which is pivoted on the bolt 0 between the upper ear D of the jaw-A and the upper ear E of the jaw B. The thickness of the said ear or lug M is not equal to the width of the space between the said ears D and E, and the opening in the said ear or lugM is larger than the diameter of the bolt 0, and thereby the latch L is adapted to have its outer end raised and lowered for the purpose to be hereinafter described. The free end of the latch is pro-' vided on its under side with a depending hook or barb, N, the front under side of which is inclined.

In the upper edge of the jaw A is a vertical rectangular notch or recess, 0, adapted to receive the free end of the latch when the jaws close together on the tubing, so as to guide the lower side of the free end of the latch over the recess 0, and cause it to drop on the outer side of the jaw A when the latter comes in contact with thejaw B, and thereby cause the depending offset or hook N of the latch to lock the jaws A and B together. The flange or head which projects'from the outer side of the tubing rests on the latch L, as shown in Fig. 3, and thereby the weight of the said tubing keepsthe latch closed and prevents it from accidentally releasing the jaws.

Each jaw A and B is provided at its free side with a projecting arm, P and B, respectively. On the inner side of the arm Pis a recess or groove, S, and on the inner side of the arm R is a corresponding projecting offset or tongue,T, which is adapted to enter the recess S when the jaws are closed together, and thereby prevent the hinged ears of the said jaws from working on the pintle or bolt 0, and thereby subjecting the latter-t0 strain.

In operation the jaws A B are moved to clamp the tube, in which position they are rigidlyheld by the latch L, the curved face of the hooked end of which contacts with the jaw A, and causes the latch to be lifted until said jaw A arrives in position, when the hooked end N takes over the recessed portion of said jaw. When the arms P R are in the position shown in Fig. 2, they form between them a horizontal socket,in which may be inserted the end of a bar to form a handle for manipulating the clamp.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. In a clamp for raising and lowering oilwell tubes, the combination of thejaws A and B, hinged together and adaped to engage and receive the opposite sides of the tube, one of the said jaws being recessed or cut away on its upper edge,and the pivoted latch L,fitting in the said recessed or cut-away portion, and having the hook or catch N at its free end adapted to engage the upper edge of the opposite jaw when ihejaws close together, sub- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as -stantialiy as described. my own I have hereto affixed my signature in 2. The eon1hination,in a clamp foroil-wells, presence of two witnesses. of the jaws A B,pivoted together,and the hori- FRED JOSEPH MOSER. 5 zontally-pivoted gravitating latch, having the Vitnesses:

hooked end N,eurved on its end faee,substan- HENRY L. HERSIIFIELD,

tiaily as set forth. i J AMES DONALDSON. 

